Resolution on the military junta crackdown on peaceful demonstrations in Chad

The European Parliament adopted a resolution on the military junta crackdown on peaceful demonstrations in Chad.

The text adopted in plenary was tabled by the S&D, Renew, Greens/EFA, ECR groups and Members.

Since the death of former President Idriss Déby Itno in April 2021, Chad has been led by his son, Mahamat Idriss Déby Into. The Transitional Military Council (TMC) had previously suspended the constitution and dissolved the government and the national assembly. On 20 October 2022, thousands of people protested across Chad to demand an immediate return to democratic rule. In anticipation of this, the minister of public security prohibited all demonstrations in the country. According to the UN, Chad has received over 577 000 refugees from, among others, Darfur, the Central African Republic, Nigeria and Cameroon, in addition to having 381 000 internally displaced people. The stability of Chad is crucial for the Sahel and northern and eastern Africa.

Parliament deplored the deadly violence and repression perpetrated against pro-democracy protesters in the protests of October 2022, and deeply regretted the loss of life. It condemned the restriction of the fundamental right to demonstrate and the use of violence against protesters and civil society in Chad.

The resolution called for the opening of an independent and impartial investigation by the UN and the African Union into the reported violence, including reports of torture in Chadian prisons, to prosecute the perpetrators of violence against individuals and civil society.

Parliament is extremely concerned by the continuing high levels of corruption and impunity in Chad and noted that the failure to address impunity for human rights violations contributes to the continuation of such abuses and to the weakening of public trust in state institutions. In this regard, it urgently called for new transparent, inclusive and credible legislative and presidential elections to be organised as soon as possible in order to facilitate a political transition that guarantees respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.

The Commission, the European External Action Service and the Member States are urged to increase their support for independent non-governmental organisations, human rights defenders and independent media active in Chad, including through funding and support for those in need of protection. Moreover, the EU and the international community are called on to urgently respond to the humanitarian situation arising from the human rights situation in Chad and to provide the country with the necessary assistance to rapidly address its urgent needs for the protection of internally displaced people and refugees.